Brigham City, UT

November Averages

Brigham City, UT

December Averages

Brigham City

The northbound highway corridor seems too narrow on the approach to Brigham City, Utah. The jagged mountain range creeps closer from the east while the open lands of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge close in from the west. Few cities of the Wasatch Front feel as "nestled" as Brigham City. Its Main Street archway proclaims "Gateway to the World's Greatest Wild Bird Refuge," and welcomes visitors to an historic main drag that also serves as part of a base camp to year-round adventure and vast tranquility of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and the nation-transforming Golden Spike National Historic Site.

Brigham City is near the northernmost point of the Wasatch Front, Utah's vibrant population corridor. The steep and adventure-filled Wellsville Mountains branch off from the Wasatch Front. Interstate 15 runs a parallel path to the mountains, which rise thousands of feet above the valley floor, virtually in the backyard. You'll instantly notice Brigham City's small town feel, despite bigger city amenities like comfortable and affordable hotel rooms, deluxe suites, and beautiful golf courses. Brigham City has many historic buildings, including a dignified, pillared courthouse with a clock in its dome, a Mormon Tabernacle and the classic 100-year-old Capitol Theater. The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and the James V. Hansen Wildlife Education Center provide a popular place with a great view for birding enthusiasts. The world-renowned birding destination is an impressive place for viewing and listening to everything from ducks to colorful songbirds.

Brigham City was settled in the early 1850s and originally named Box Elder, but later changed its name to honor Brigham Young, second president of the LDS (Mormon) Church. West of Brigham City is ATK, where the solid rocket boosters used to propel the space shuttles were manufactured. The ATK Thiokol Rocket Garden (free to the public) displays a complete booster for the space shuttle and rockets from the middle of the century to the 2000s. The open-air display is 2 miles past the turnoff to Golden Spike National Historic Site.

Local Highlights

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

Also near Brigham City, the Great Salt Lake is one of the premier migratory bird flight paths in North America. The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is among the finest spots in the area for bird watching. Species of interes include the American white pelican, blacknecked stilt, American avocet, white-faced ibis and snowy plover. As many of 200 species of birds make a seasonal stop in Bear River.

Peach Days

Brigham City is famous forPeach Days, a community celebration held each September, the weekend after Labor Day. Visitors can find any number of things to do in Brigham City this weekend, including outdoor activities and vendors, movie screenings, pageants and Utah's largest car show. Nearly 75,000 people stop by Brigham City to celebrate the bountiful harvest of some of the region's most revered peaches thanks to the warming sunlight on the Wasatch Mountains' western slope. Patrons offarmers marketsandHigh West Distilleryalike enjoy this special harvest.

Utah's Famous Fruit Way

Find the best in local agriculture from Northern Utah at roadside fruit stands like Pettingills, Sumida's, Tagges Famous Fruit and Paul's Patch. The Fruit Way lines a stretch of historic Highway 89 between Willard and Brigham City just off the interstate. That few extra minutes can result in lots of fresh-picked produce and local food products like cheese curds and shakes for the road trip still ahead. Driving northbound on I-15, take exit 351 and stay right. Take a left on Highway 89, heading north toward Brigham City.

Maddox Fine Food

Brigham City has multiple classic dining establishments that lend to its historic, small town aura. But Maddox Fine Food, two miles south in Perry, is a dining icon that is as much a destination as it is a diner, and it's well worth visiting. Known as Utah's Original Steakhouse, Maddox has served up "farm-to-table" since 1949, sourcing beef from their own ranch and seeking out other locally sourced ingredients, when possible. Dine in or drive-in.